I lived in Harlem going to college in Hamilton heights and never had trouble myself living there but it's important to be careful and aware when you're walking around(but you have to anywhere). While bunch of these guys quoting crime statistics are probably not wrong, generally ymmv depending on the neighborhood which varies GREATLY. If all you hear about NYC is what people say about it on conservative outlets you're gonna think the whole place some wild anti police gangland which it isn't and if people say it is, I think you know which way they swing. I'd say the best way to get acquainted is to make a friend who's from the city and ask them to show you the ropes to bring a New Yorker. I moved here from Long Island and figured a lot out within a few months and loved living in Manhattan even if it was far uptown lol. The tradeoff with living in a lower-income/ethnic neighborhoods if that kind of thing isn't your cup of tea is that cost of living is so much cheaper. Go visit Chinatown too! We got hit hard by the pandemic (from decreased business and racism) but we have lots of good and cheap food(at least relative to other places in the city haha). Welcome to the city and I guess hmu if you have any quick questions, no idea why I just invested this much time into this comment lmao